ATU-Ozark Students Earn Rotary Scholarships

Six Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus students recently received scholarships from the Altus Sunset Rotary Club.

Recipients were Kara Roach of Coal Hill, health information technician program; Caitlyn Loftis of Fort Smith, practical nursing; Marcus Watson of Paris, computer information systems; Gunner Medrano of Rudy, automotive service technology; Pantao Xiong of Van Buren, computer information systems; and Kimberly Hudson of Clarksville, human services.

Each student was nominated by one of their instructors and received a $500 scholarship. They had to demonstrate “Service Above Self,” community/campus involvement, a true financial need and completion of at least 30 hours of coursework.

The scholarship funds came primarily through a Rotary district grant. The Altus Sunset Rotary also raised funds by hosting a concert featuring Heath Sanders and Leah Henry during The DeVine Evening in the Vineyard, working the Backwoods Festival and participating in Bargains Galore on 64. Area high school juniors also benefited from the grant and fundraisers and were able to receive scholarships to attend the RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards).

Photographed (from left): Rotary Assistant District Governor Bob Shingledecker, ATU-Ozark instructor Bobby Sewell, Pantao Xiong, Gunner Medrano, Marcus Watson, Kara Roach, Kimberly Hudson and ATU-Ozark instructor/Altus Sunset Rotary member Lynn Washington; Not pictured is Caitlyn Loftis.